The quotations of

George Washington

Founding Father and first U.S. president

1732–1799

41 quotes, most often on War & Peace, Politics and America. Part of the U.S. Presidents and Founding Fathers collections.

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
Letter to Bushrod Washington (15 January 1783)
- Friendship
The United States is in no sense founded upon the Christian doctrine.
- America
As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.
Letter to Roman Catholics (15 March 1790)
- Politics
Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.
Farewell Address (1796)
- War & Peace
War⁠—an act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will.
- War & Peace
The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure.
- America
- War & Peace
Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.
“Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation”, no. 57, in Jared Sparks, The Life of George Washington (London: Henry Colburn, 1839), Vol. II, p. 109.
- Morality
There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.
- Truth & Lies
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
Letter to James Madison (2 March 1788)
- Liberty
If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.
Fifth annual Message (3 December 1793)
- War & Peace
It is better to be alone than in bad company.
My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty. Iit is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein.
The writings of George Washington, American Stationers Co., 1836, p. 301
- Work
It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.
- Liberty
Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
Letter to Major-General Robert Howe (17 August 1779), published in “The Writings of George Washington”: 1778-1779, edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (1890)
- Money
- Virtue
‘Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.
George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796)
- America
- Politics

Often credited to George Washington

Quotes often credited to George Washington that were said or written by someone else.

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